Chapter Summaries

Xu Xi avoided being sent back to the second branch when the old madam let her stay and take meals with her, despite Lady Wei's tearful attempt to reconcile. After Lady Wei left, Xu Xi told the old madam she suspected her origins were not what the family claimed.

• Daimao warned Xu Xi that Lady Wei was complaining to the old madam, and Xu Xi rewarded Daimao for the warning.
• Lady Wei accused Xu Xi of refusing to call her Mother, but Xu Xi calmly said she wanted to avoid conflict and attend school in peace.
• The old madam agreed Xu Xi could stay with her and eat with her, while urging Lady Wei to treat Xu Xi well.
• Lady Wei claimed she regretted her past behavior and withdrew after the old madam accepted her explanation.
• Xu Xi told the old madam that Lady Wei seemed to regard her as an enemy and that she suspected something was fishy about her origins.

Xu Xi raised the possibility that Lady Wei had switched newborns with First Madam, prompting the Old Madam to reconsider the origins of the marquis’s heirs. The Old Madam remained unsettled as Xu Xi urged her to investigate before the wrong son inherited the marquisate.

• The Old Madam dismissed Xu Xi’s doubts about her parentage, and Xu Xi decided she would have to set the matter aside for now.
• Xu Xi sent the attendants away and reminded the Old Madam that First Madam and Second Madam had given birth on the same day amid household chaos.
• The Old Madam admitted that she and First Madam had suspected a switch, but believed it impossible because Zhao Jing'an and Zhao Jingli looked so different.
• Xu Xi explained that same-sex twins could look different and suggested that Second Madam might have switched the children to save her own son from being drowned.
• The Old Madam grew frightened, and Xu Xi urged her to question First Madam and investigate what had happened before Second Madam’s son inherited the marquisate.

Xu Xi asked the old madam to investigate her origins and warned her to reconsider the banquet until she knew the truth. She then negotiated with the system over the cost of investigating, ending with a proposed price scale for information.

• Xu Xi warned the old madam not to hold a banquet introducing her until she had investigated Xu Xi's origins, and the old madam agreed to consider it.
• Xu Xi toured quiet parts of the marquis's residence with Matron Yuan and Yicui, then went to bed without practicing calligraphy.
• Xu Xi told the system she intended to live as a carefree young lady, frustrating it because she would earn no points.
• The system offered to investigate Xu Xi's origins for fifty thousand points, then lowered its demand to thirty thousand.
• Xu Xi rejected the system's prices and proposed charging by the scope of the information, from fifty points for the residence to three hundred for nationwide inquiries.

Xu Xi negotiated a discounted price with the system for information about her origins, then went to the academy with Xu Xue to prepare for classes. There, the sisters chose seats and met Zhang Lu and He Yuqi as classmates began arriving.

• Xu Xi bargained the system down to two hundred points for information about her origins.
• Xu Xi and Xu Xue arrived early at the academy, and Xu Xue said Xu Yongyi was preparing to open a business.
• Xu Xi chose front-row seats for herself and Xu Xue, then practiced calligraphy while Xu Xue worked on her story.
• Zhang Lu introduced herself and He Yuqi to Xu Xi and Xu Xue, and the four exchanged greetings.
• Zhang Lu asked Xu Xi and Xu Xue whether they lived at home after noticing they were absent from the dormitory.

Xu Xi began classes at the Women's Academy and watched Zhang Lu get pressured into giving up her seat to a domineering student. Madam Cui introduced the academy’s ten-day course schedule, leaving Xu Xi and her classmates ready to begin their studies.

• Xu Xi assessed Zhang Lu and He Yuqi’s circumstances and explained that she and Xu Xue were cousins who lived at home.
• A woman in pale yellow asked Zhang Lu and He Yuqi to switch seats so she and her younger sister could sit together.
• He Yuqi refused to move, but Zhang Lu agreed to give up her seat after the woman in red demanded it.
• The woman in pale yellow led Zhang Lu to the last row, where she took one of the two remaining seats.
• Madam Cui read out the ten-day course schedule, which included the classics, arts, feminine virtue, law, history, and needlework.

At the Women's Academy, Xu Xi took a placement test on the Four Books and Five Classics and earned Wisdom Points by writing carefully. During the break, Xu Xue worried about the cost of studying, and Xu Xi urged her to keep writing her story.

• Madam Cui explained the subjects and supplies students needed, then handed out a test to assess their knowledge of the Four Books and Five Classics.
• Xu Xi used what she had memorized to answer the test carefully, finishing with time to check her work.
• The system told Xu Xi that she had earned thirty-two Wisdom Points, but she said tests were too infrequent to earn points quickly.
• After Madam Cui collected the papers, Xu Xue worried that the books and supplies would cost too much.
• Xu Xi encouraged Xu Xue to keep writing her story despite her difficulties.

Xu Xi and Xu Xue attended Madam Xiao’s first calligraphy class, where her remarkable writing impressed the students. As Madam Xiao inspected their work, she stopped behind Xu Xi.

• Xu Xi offered to lend Xu Xue money for books, and Xu Xue agreed to repay her after earning money from writing storybooks.
• Madam Xiao arrived to teach calligraphy with Nanny Yun and Xiaoru, then demonstrated her skill with elegant running script.
• The system recognized Madam Xiao’s writing as the work of a possible grand-disciple of Master Mingcang, and Xu Xi hoped to learn from her and access his copybooks.
• Madam Xiao asked the students to write a sample, and Xu Xi encouraged the worried Xu Xue before they began.
• Madam Xiao inspected the students’ writing and stopped behind Xu Xi.

Xu Xi earned Madam Xiao’s praise for her calligraphy and spent the day getting acquainted with the academy and its students. On the ride back to the capital, she learned that she had earned 58 points and had 86 in total.

• Madam Xiao asked Xu Xi how long she had practiced calligraphy, praised her talent, and urged her to keep working at it.
• After class, Mu Qingqiang asked to see Xu Xi’s writing, and Mu Qinglian introduced herself and her younger sister to Xu Xi.
• Xu Xi explained to Xu Xue that she should observe people more carefully, then took her to eat snacks in the dormitory.
• In music class, Xu Xi chose the guzheng, while Xu Xue chose the flute.
• Xu Xi asked the system to calculate her points and learned that she had earned 58 that day, bringing her total to 86.

Xu Xi learned that placing first in an exam earned her Wisdom Points, giving her a new way to reach her goal. At the marquis’s residence, Lady Zhu recounted the circumstances of Xu Xi’s birth, but the investigation into a possible baby switch remained inconclusive.

• The system told Xu Xi that she had earned fifty Wisdom Points for coming first in the Four Books and Five Classics exam.
• Xu Xi realized that placing in future exams and competitions could help her gather points quickly.
• At the Old Madam’s residence, Xu Xi asked Lady Zhu what she had learned about the suspected switch of children.
• Lady Zhu explained that she had given birth while the Second Madam was also in labor, and a matron had told her she had borne a son.
• Lady Zhu said the matron was alive but senile, while the midwife had moved away and could not be found through local inquiries or government travel records.
• Lady Zhu identified Lady Wei’s surviving former maid as another possible witness, but admitted she had not questioned her for fear of alerting anyone.

Lady Zhu feared that Zhao Jingli might not be her son, but she lacked proof and kept her suspicions from everyone, including Zhao Yuanxun. Xu Xi decided to use the system to locate the midwife, then earned more Wisdom Points through calligraphy as she worked toward the cost of the search.

• Lady Zhu insisted that she had to uncover the truth about Zhao Jingli’s parentage, despite the risk of estranging him and complicating the inheritance.
• Xu Xi returned to the Tea Tasting Residence, where Yicui explained that Lady Wei had sent two dishes from her own allowance; Xu Xi accepted the gesture and shared the food with the servants.
• Xu Xi asked the system to find the midwife, learned it would cost 150 points, and was told the system could not make the woman come forward on her own.
• Xu Xi practiced calligraphy and gained four Wisdom Points, bringing her total to 146, then ordered lamps lit so she could write one more piece.

Xu Xi spent her points asking the system to investigate her origins, then earned a double first on an academy examination. Madam Cui invited her to explain the history and results of women taking the imperial examinations.

• Xu Xi gained four Wisdom Points, spent all 150 points on an investigation into her origins, and practiced calligraphy to earn eight more points.
• Xu Xi arrived early at the academy and practiced calligraphy until Madam Cui came to find her.
• Madam Cui praised Xu Xi’s calligraphy and took her to the staff quarters to discuss her double-first examination result.
• Madam Cui told Xu Xi that only twenty-three women had taken the imperial examinations since Empress Shengyao established the opportunity, with two earning xiucai degrees and one earning a juren degree.
• Xu Xi reflected that the costs and social expectations of education kept most women, especially poor women, from pursuing the examinations.

Xu Xi discussed the choices of women who had passed the examinations with Madam Cui, who asked her to take the imperial examinations and set an example for other women. Xu Xi agreed to consult her family but insisted she wanted to keep studying other subjects, and she began considering dropping out rather than sacrificing her own preferences for a cause she did not choose.

• Madam Cui told Xu Xi that three women had married after passing the examinations, and that the juren among them had stopped teaching after having children.
• Xu Xi said it was a pity for talented women to give up teaching, while acknowledging that their families and choices mattered.
• Madam Cui urged Xu Xi to take the imperial examinations as an example for women, explaining that family opposition kept many women from taking them.
• Xu Xi asked about examination-hall arrangements and learned that women were supervised by several invigilators instead of being subjected to body searches.
• Xu Xi said she would consult her family and asked to keep studying music, chess, calligraphy, and painting alongside private lessons in examination subjects.
• Xu Xi reflected that she had no desire to enter officialdom or sacrifice her own life for a cause, and began considering dropping out.

Madam Cui urged Xu Xi to pursue the imperial examinations, but Xu Xi remained reluctant and said she would discuss it with her family. Back in class, Xu Xi focused on taking notes to earn system points.

• Madam Cui encouraged Xu Xi to take the imperial examinations, citing the success of one woman from the Women's Academy.
• Xu Xi explained that her limited education made competing with men who had studied for years unrealistic, and she said she would consult her family before deciding.
• The system urged Xu Xi to accept Madam Cui's proposal for the potential points, but Xu Xi argued that she needed to place first to earn many points.
• Xu Xi returned to class and reassured the concerned Xu Xue that she was fine.
• Xu Xi attended law and history lessons and slowly took notes in hopes of earning points.

After Mu Qingqiang asked whether Xu Xi would take the imperial examination, Xu Xi left the decision open and joined Madam Xiao for snacks. She advised Madam Xiao on how to launch the jewelry shop, while Madam Xiao mistakenly believed Xu Xi had endured severe hardship.

• Mu Qingqiang asked Xu Xi to see her class notes and whether she planned to take the imperial examination; Xu Xi said she had not decided.
• Xu Xue objected to Xu Xi taking the examination, and Xu Xi said she would discuss it with her elders later.
• Xiaoru invited Xu Xi and Xu Xue to Madam Xiao's courtyard, where Madam Xiao asked Xu Xi to draw more jewelry designs for her new shop.
• Xu Xi advised Madam Xiao to use ordinary styles as the main stock and release novel designs gradually to attract customers and discourage copying.
• Madam Xiao and Nanny Yun took Xu Xi's remarks about supporting herself as evidence that the marquis's household had neglected her, and Madam Xiao felt sympathy for her.
• Xu Xi explained that jewelry could be made distinctive through subtle choices in materials, colors, and placement.

Xu Xi advised Madam Xiao on running her silver shop and arranged to visit her at noon, while encouraging Xu Xue to learn from observing people and everyday life. During music class, the system discovered that Madam Zhang was the granddaughter of the famous music master Zhang Qisong, then rummaged for something after Xu Xi acted disappointed about the academy’s teachers.

• Xu Xi declined Madam Xiao’s offer of a hundred taels per jewelry design and proposed taking a five-percent fee only when the jewelry sold.
• Madam Xiao asked Xu Xi to visit and talk with her at noon, and Xu Xi agreed to come whenever summoned, bringing Xu Xue along.
• Xu Xi told Xu Xue to observe and think about everyday life to improve her writing, and Xu Xue resolved to do so.
• The system told Xu Xi that Madam Zhang was the gifted granddaughter of Zhang Qisong and later found that the Capital Women’s Academy’s calligraphy and music teachers were Qin Zhe and Zhang Qisong.
• Xu Xi feigned disappointment about Madam Xiao and Madam Zhang being less famous than their teachers, and the system began rummaging through something.

Xu Xi arranged for Xu Xue to buy school supplies and asked the marquis's household to provide the costly materials she needed for her classes. The first madam agreed to help, but the old madam's insistence that Zhao Ruyu join them angered her, leaving the old madam puzzled by her reaction.

• The system offered Xu Xi a Spirituality and Comprehension Pill for five thousand points, but Xu Xi dismissed the offer.
• Xu Xi lent Xu Xue a hundred-tael banknote to exchange and use for school supplies, while Xu Xue planned to buy modest items of her own.
• Xu Xue told Xu Xi she had found the needed books and described how she had observed Zhang Lu and their classmates.
• Xu Xi gave the first madam a list of books and supplies, and the first madam said the household storeroom might have some of them.
• The old madam suggested that Zhao Ruyu choose supplies alongside Xu Xi, prompting the first madam to arrange a later shopping trip and leave.
• The old madam complained to Matron Jin that she did not understand why the first madam had reacted badly to her suggestion.

Matron Jin persuaded the old madam to consider why the first madam wanted Xu Xi to choose academy supplies before Zhao Ruyu, but the old madam let both young women choose together. At the storeroom, Zhao Ruyu chose an ordinary guzheng and said she had left the better one for Xu Xi.

• Matron Jin told the old madam that the first madam wanted Xu Xi to choose first because she felt Xu Xi had been wronged by Zhao Ruyu’s place in the family.
• The old madam decided Zhao Ruyu and Xu Xi should choose their academy supplies together after Zhao Ruyu returned from her meal.
• The first madam took Xu Xi and Zhao Ruyu to the marquis’s storeroom and invited them to choose zithers.
• Zhao Ruyu offered Xu Xi the first choice, but Xu Xi urged Zhao Ruyu to choose first so neither would appear unwilling to defer.
• Zhao Ruyu selected an ordinary guzheng and told the first madam she had left the better instrument for Xu Xi.

The First Madam arranged instruments and supplies for Zhao Ruyu and Xu Xi, then invited Xu Xi to the first branch’s courtyard. There, Xu Xi witnessed Zhao Jingtai teasing Zhao Jingli with an embarrassing book.

• The First Madam exchanged Zhao Ruyu’s guzheng for the finest instrument and promised Xu Xi a choice of older instruments from her private collection.
• Xu Xi chose brushes, paper, paints, and an ordinary guzheng, while the First Madam promised to buy new books for the girls.
• Zhao Ruyu returned to her courtyard, and Xu Xi accompanied the First Madam to the first branch’s courtyard.
• Zhao Jingtai climbed a tree to escape Zhao Jingli and read an erotic passage aloud, prompting Zhao Jingli to threaten to expose his bedwetting.

Zhao Jingtai climbed a tree to tease Zhao Jingli over an erotic storybook, then fell and was caught by the eldest madam, Xu Xi, and several servants. The eldest madam broke down in tears and sent Zhao Jingli to kneel in the ancestral hall while Zhao Jingtai waited for a physician.

• Zhao Jingtai climbed higher into a tree while reciting from Zhao Jingli’s storybook, and Zhao Jingli chased after him to retrieve it.
• Xu Xi called the servants beneath the tree to catch Zhao Jingtai as the eldest madam shouted for the brothers to stop.
• A branch snapped, and the eldest madam, Xu Xi, Qingfeng, Caidie, and two maids broke Zhao Jingtai’s fall.
• The eldest madam ordered a servant to fetch Physician Shi, then scolded Zhao Jingli for chasing his brother and reading the book.
• The eldest madam began sobbing, ordered Zhao Jingli to kneel in the ancestral hall, and told Zhao Jingtai to stay for the physician’s examination.

After Zhao Jingli went to kneel in the ancestral hall, Xu Xi comforted the first madam as they worried that Zhao Jingli might have been switched with Zhao Jingtai at birth. The first madam began investigating the second branch while the system searched for the midwife who might confirm Xu Xi’s origins.

• Zhao Jingli apologized to his mother and went to kneel in the ancestral hall after nearly causing Zhao Jingtai to fall from a tree.
• Xu Xi comforted the first madam, who said she increasingly believed Zhao Jingli had been switched at birth with Lady Wei’s son.
• The system told Xu Xi that it had found the midwife alive five years earlier but was still searching for her current whereabouts.
• The first madam agreed to let Xu Xi choose a qin another day and had a matron escort her home.
• The first madam ordered Matron Zhou to spread word of the incident and monitor the second madam’s actions through informants in the second branch.
• The first madam sent Caixia to check whether anyone nearby was watching, while Caidie wondered why she had not gone to see the injured Zhao Jingtai.